Board Game and Method of Using

ABSTRACT

A novel board game is provided that allows individuals to play a game that has simple rules, is resolved quickly, and is still enjoyable. The present board game comprises two sets of opposing game pieces, a checkerboard, and a unique deck of forty-seven cards. The players take opposing turns drawing a card and then moving one of their game pieces in one of the cardinal directions a number of squares equal to the number drawn. Players may also draw a “jump” card, which allows that player to vault one of their pieces over an opposing piece. Players get one point for reaching their opponent&#39;s back row and another point for completely surrounding one of their opponent&#39;s game pieces, thereby removing that piece from the board. The game is over when one player totals five points.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of board games, and more specifically to board games that utilize both a checkerboard and playing cards.

There are many varieties of board games that are currently on the market that utilize pieces that move along pre-determined patterns inherent to the game board, including checkers, chess, or backgammon. There are also many varieties of games involving playing cards, including Uno, poker, or gin rummy. However, relatively few games combine aspects of a board game and a deck of cards. The present invention combines aspects of many different types of board games and card games to create a unique new experience.

Despite the large variety of currently-available types of board games and playing card games, there is room for a new type of game that is enjoyable and quick to play. Many people currently have checkerboards in their house for playing either checkers or chess on, but the board can be utilized for many different types of games. Although many people own checkerboards, they are generally restricted to games of checkers and chess. Checkers is a simple game that can be played quickly, but there is also little variation from game-to-game because the pieces move in a static fashion and the strategy behind playing the game is relatively basic. Chess is a much more complex game with much more variability, but it can take a substantial length of time to play and the strategy and rules can be too complex for some to grasp or enjoy. There is therefore a need for a board game that balances the simplicity of checkers and the variability and complexity of chess.

The board game of the present invention provides a new and entertaining game for groups or families to enjoy. The present board game introduces variability by having players draw from a deck of cards that allow the player to move a piece a random number of spaces or perform a “jump” move. The board game also has simple rules that anyone can pick up, but retains an element of strategy by providing the players with multiple different ways of gaining points, and thus winning the game. For these reasons, the present board game represents a novel and enjoyable addition to the board game art.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to board games. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to board games having checkered gameplay areas of various configurations and a deck of cards that influences the action on the game board. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

One such device is U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,147 to Miller, which discloses a board game where players are take turns attempting to complete a pattern assigned to them by drawing a card from a deck, while also attempting to block their opponents from finishing their own drawing. Although this game combines the use of a game board and a deck of cards, it does not teach the process of drawing cards to determine how game pieces are to be moved around the board. Furthermore, the board game of the present invention is completed when one of the players reaches a pre-determined number of points, not when a pattern is completed.

Another such device is U.S. Pat. No. 6,530,571 to McWilliams, which discloses another board game that combines a non-traditionally shaped game board with baseball trivia questions that are drawn from a deck of cards. The players answer trivia questions correctly to advance their pieces around the board and score points. The board game of the present invention utilizes a traditional checkerboard as the game board, not a specially-designed board that mimics a baseball stadium. Furthermore, the drawing of cards is performed in the present invention in order to directly advance the pieces around the game board, not indirectly advance the pieces by answering trivia questions correctly.

Another board game is U.S. Pat. No. 6,719,289 to Brown, which discloses a version of chess with sixteen directionally-oriented game pieces of six different types, a deck of movement playing cards, and a checkerboard. The board game is essentially a version of chess where cards may be played to enhance a piece's movement, which adds chance to the game. The present board game is also an attempt to add chance to a board game, but it does so by having the cards drawn by the player directly dictate the movement of the pieces, rather than merely being an enhancement. Furthermore, the board game of the present invention has only a single type of game piece with one set of movement rules, rather than six different types of pieces, each with different movement rules.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,918 to Selsky-Quezada discloses a checkerboard-like game board with a rotating base that includes a bucket, a pail, a plurality of question tabs, a plurality of reference cards, and two sets of play pieces. The players take turns moving their pieces around the game board and answering trivia questions about art subjects. Unlike Selsky-Quezada, the present invention utilizes a standard checkerboard that does not rotate in any way. Additionally, the present board game uses the playing cards to determine how the game pieces will move around the game board, not as trivia questions that are used to score points.

Another board game and method of playing said board game is U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,558 to Perez, which discloses a triangular game board where all the players from a team attempt to reach the zenith of the game board to win. Players advance their tokens by answering timed questions. Answering the trivia questions correctly or incorrectly provides either bonuses or penalties to the players' movement. The present invention does not involve the answering of trivia questions in any way and moreover utilizes a traditional checkerboard, rather than a triangularly-shaped board.

U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2005/0046110 to Perron discloses a board game that takes place on a two-tiered, tiled board using chess pieces. Once a player obtains sufficient control over an area on the bottom board, the game shifts to the second tier of the board and the game rules change. The present invention has elements of chess, but it simplifies the movement of the pieces in order to reduce confusion and enhance enjoyment for new players. The present board game seeks to be as simple as possible and have games that are quickly resolved, while still maintaining some elements of chance and strategy. A two-tiered board game that shifts playing areas depending on control of other parts of the playing area is anything but simple and goes against the primary goal of the present board game.

Finally, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2006/0284374 to Harmening discloses a modified game of chess, wherein the players take turns drawing from a deck of cards that have a side with a depiction of a chess piece on them. When the player draws a card, they must move the piece that corresponds to the piece depicted on the card. This system introduces an element of chance to a standard game of chess because the players cannot control which piece they are able to move. The present board game introduces chance to the game via playing cards that dictate how far the pieces can move, not which pieces can move. Furthermore, although the present board game has some similarities to chess, it strives for simplicity and has thus removed the distinctions of the manner by which all of the pieces move.

The present invention is a new and improved board game comprising a checkered game table, a deck of playing cards, and two sets of game pieces. The players take turns drawing cards and moving a game piece of their choice in the manner stated on the drawn card. Players score points by either completely surrounding an opposing piece, which also removes said piece from the game board, or by reaching their opponent's back row. All of the game pieces move in one of the cardinal directions of the player's choosing. The present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing board game devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of board games now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new board game that combines aspects of playing card games with games such as checkers or chess wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when seeking to play a quick, easy-to-learn game.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved board game device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a board game that utilizes a standard checkered board having a defined grid pattern of locations in which the game pieces can individually occupy at any one given time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a board game that can be finished within ten minutes, on average.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a board game that uses a randomized deck of cards to dictate the movement of the pieces and thereby has an element of chance.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a board game that includes a deck of specialized playing cards for dictating the movement of the game pieces.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a board game that has strategic elements, but is easy to learn and is suitable for all ages.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a board game that allows for different ways to score points.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the present invention with the game pieces disposed on the board next to a deck of the playing cards and the five different types of cards splayed out.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the present invention demonstrating the directions in which pieces are able to move and various capture scenarios.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart depicting the steps involved in playing a game of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the board game. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for playing a game of the present invention against a single opponent. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the present invention with the game pieces positioned on the board. The present board game consists of a checkered game board 11, a deck of specialized playing cards 12, and two sets of opposing game pieces 13. The checkered game board 11 has an upper surface, which is generally planar and capable of supporting the game pieces 13, and a lower surface, which supports the checkered game board 11. The checkered planar surface on the game board 11 consists of a series of alternatingly colored or marked rectangles. In the preferred embodiment, there are eight rectangles on the vertical axis and eight rectangles on the horizontal axis, creating a playing area divided into sixty-four spaces of alternatingly colored or marked rectangles.

In the preferred embodiment there are sixteen game pieces 13, which are split into two eight-piece sets differentiated by color, markings, shape, or any other distinguishing characteristic. In the depicted embodiment, the game pieces 13 consist of a generally triangular base with curved edges rising to a smaller triangular top portion. However, there is no specific game piece 13 configuration that is contemplated by this disclosure. The two sets of game pieces 13 must be differentiated, but no specific color, pattern of color, shape, or other characteristic is contemplated by this disclosure. The game pieces 13 occupy one square at a time and are able to move in any of the available cardinal directions. It is irrelevant whether the game pieces 13 are positioned on a rectangle corresponding to their own color or characteristic and the movement of the game pieces 13 is unaffected by the coloring of the squares that they are moving through or to.

The present board game further has a deck of forty-seven playing cards 12. The playing cards 12 have a first side and a second side. The first side has either a numeral or an indicia representing the word “jump” depicted thereon. In the preferred embodiment, the deck of playing cards 12 consists of forty-four cards with numerals for the numbers one, two, three, and four and three cards with the word “jump” depicted on the first side. The second side has any type of ornamental design depicted thereon. The playing cards 12 are stored in the deck face down while a game of the present invention is in progress in order to prevent knowledge of the next card from influencing the action of the current player's turn. The second side of the playing cards 12 is provided to mask the first side so that the playing cards 12 can be stored face down without revealing the indicia depicted on the first side.

Prior to beginning the game, the deck of playing cards 12 is shuffled to randomize the order of cards, thereby adding an element of chance to the game because the cards dictating the movement of the game pieces 13 are distributed to each player differently for each game. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the player whose turn it is draws a card and immediately moves a piece or pieces of his or her choosing based on the indicia displayed on the card. In another embodiment of the present invention, each player has a hand of a pre-determined number of cards that is kept secret from the opposing player. In this embodiment, the player may choose to either play the drawn card or play a card from his or her hand and add the drawn card to his or her hand. Once a card is played, it is discarded and may not be utilized again by either player. If all of the cards in the deck are used without either player totaling the required number of points to end the game, then all of the discarded cards are reshuffled into the deck to be drawn again.

The numerals depicted on the first side of the playing cards 12 dictate the number of spaces the player is permitted to move a game piece or game pieces 13 of their choosing in one of the cardinal directions. A game piece 13 may not be moved through a space occupied by another game piece 13, regardless of which player owns the game piece 13. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the player may divide the number of moves depicted on the drawn card among a plurality of game pieces 13 owned by the player at his or her discretion. For example, if a player draws a card marked with the numeral four, then he or she can move four separate game pieces one space, or could move two game pieces one space and one game piece two spaces, or could move a single game piece four spaces, and so on. Moves must be divided into whole numbers. If a player is unable to move any single game piece 13, or combination of game pieces 13, the required number of spaces, then his or her turn is over without being permitted to move any game pieces 13 and the opponent gains one point.

In an alternative embodiment of the present board game, the player is only permitted to move one game piece 13 and cannot split the number of moves among a plurality of games pieces. If a game piece 13 cannot complete a move in a straight line in one of the cardinal directions equal to the number of spaces depicted on the drawn card, then the game piece is not permitted to be moved in that direction. In another embodiment, if a game piece 13 cannot complete a move in a straight line in one of the cardinal directions equal to the number of spaces depicted on the drawn card, then that piece is instead permitted to move the maximum number of spaces in that straight line cardinal direction that it is able to complete prior to reaching an obstruction, i.e. another game piece of the edge of the board. In yet another embodiment, if a game piece 13 cannot complete a move in a straight line in one of the cardinal directions equal to the number of spaces depicted on the drawn card, then that piece is instead permitted to move the maximum number of spaces in that straight line cardinal direction that it is able to complete prior to reaching an obstruction and then use any remaining movement spaces to move in a second cardinal direction of the player's choosing. The “jump” cards allow the player to move one of their pieces over an adjacent space that is occupied by an opposing piece to the next unoccupied space.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of the game board of the present invention with a game piece thereon and arrows demonstrating the directions in which the game pieces are permitted to move and also multiple different capture scenarios. The game pieces are able to move in any of the cardinal directions, but are not permitted to move in a diagonal direction under any circumstances. A game piece may never be moved through a space occupied by another game piece, unless the player draws a “jump” card.

The “jump” cards permits a player to move one of his or her game pieces 13 over an adjacent space occupied by one of the opponent's game pieces. There must be an unoccupied space behind the jumped space, or else the card cannot be used. Furthermore, the “jump” card may only be used to jump over a single game piece. Under no circumstances can the “jump” card be used to move a game piece more than a total of two spaces.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention where the players do not have hands of cards and instead merely immediately play the card that they draw from the deck, if a player draws a “jump” card they may choose to immediately play it or may instead choose to save the card to play during a later turn. If the player chooses to hold the “jump” card and not immediately play it, then they are permitted to draw another card from the deck and play it. Only a single “jump” card may be played in any given turn the player holds multiple “jump” cards. When a player plays a “jump” card, his or her turn immediately ends thereafter.

One of the opponent's game pieces is considered captured if the player surrounds the opponent's game piece such that the opponent's game piece cannot make a move. Thus there are three potential capture scenarios. First, the opponent's game piece may be completely surrounded in all of the cardinal directions by the player's game piece as seen in 31. Second, the opponent's game piece may be against the edge of the board and surrounded in the remaining three cardinal directions as seen in 41. Lastly, the opponent's game piece may be in a corner and surrounded in the remaining two cardinal directions as seen in 51. In all cases the opponent's game piece is unable to complete a move in any direction. If an opponent's game piece is captured, that piece is removed from the board and the capturing player gains one point.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a flow chart demonstrating the process by which the game of the present invention is played. In use, the two players first each choose a group of game pieces and arrange their pieces along their respective back rows. The players then take turns drawing a card from the deck of playing cards and moving a game piece of their choosing in accordance with the drawn card. Players can move game pieces in any of the cardinal directions, i.e. in any direction except diagonally. If a card with a numeral depicted thereon is drawn by the player, then the player can divide the number of moves among a plurality of game pieces from his or her group a number of unoccupied spaces equal to the number on the card. If a card with “jump” depicted thereon is drawn by the player, then the player can either keep the card to be played on a later turn or move one of his or her game pieces of his or her choosing, that is adjacent to a rectangle occupied by an opposing piece, over that occupied space to the following unoccupied space. A player cannot move a game piece through a space occupied by either one of the player's own pieces or an opposing piece, unless a “jump” card is used.

Players can score points in three ways. First, a player can score one point by surrounding an opposing game piece with his own game pieces. A game piece is surrounded when four opposing game pieces are positioned around said game piece such that said game piece is unable to make any move, except a “jump.” A game piece is also considered surrounded when against the edge of the board and three opposing game pieces occupy the remaining spaces in the cardinal directions. Likewise, a game piece is also considered surrounded when in a corner of the game board and two opposing game pieces occupy the remaining spaces in the cardinal directions. When a game piece is surrounded, that game piece is removed from the game board, in addition to the opponent of the owner of said game piece receiving a point.

Second, a player can score a point by having one of his pieces reach the opponent's back row. In the preferred embodiment of the present board game, when a game piece reaches the opponent's back row that piece is moved to the corresponding vertically-aligned space on the owner's back row and the owner of the game piece is attributed a point. If the corresponding space on the owner's back row is occupied, then the game piece scoring the point is moved to the closest unoccupied space along the owner's back row to the corresponding space. In another embodiment, a game piece that reaches the opponent's back row is removed from the game board after the owner of that game piece is attributed a point. In another embodiment, a game piece that reaches the opponent's back row is not removed from the game board and is not moved from the space.

The last way that a point may be attributed to a player is the rarest potential outcome. If a player is unable to move any single game piece or any combination of their game pieces the required number of spaces dictated by the drawn cards, then the opposing player is attributed one point and the player's turn ends without being permitted to move any of his or her game pieces. A game point is only scored if there is no possible combination of moves that the player is able to make within the scope of the rules of the game. The game ends when any player reaches a cumulative score of a pre-determined number, which is five points in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Overall, the present invention provides a unique and novel board game that combines elements of strategy with chance and easy-to-learn rules to create a game that can be finished quickly and enjoyably. The average game of the present invention can be finished in approximately ten minutes, making it perfect for families or groups who have only a short period of time to occupy and do not want to begin a cumbersome and complicated game of chess that could potentially take hours to resolve. Furthermore, the addition of chance adds an interesting dynamic of unpredictability that is not normally present in games such as checkers.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A board game utilizing a checkered game board wherein players take turns drawing cards from a deck and moving their pieces in accordance with the drawn card, comprising: a first group of game pieces and a second group of game pieces, wherein said first group and said second group are differentiated; a game board having an upper surface and lower surface, wherein said upper surface has a checkerboard pattern with a grid pattern of alternating rectangles, and wherein said upper surface is substantially planar such that said game pieces can rest thereupon; a deck of playing cards having a first set of playing cards and a second set of playing cards, each of said playing cards having a first side and a second side, wherein said first set of playing cards display an indicia depicting the word “jump” on said first side and said second set of playing cards display an indicia depicting a numeral on said first side.
 2. The board game of claim 1, wherein said first group of game pieces and said second group of game pieces number eight.
 3. The board game of claim 1, wherein said checkerboard pattern of said game board is an eight by eight grid.
 4. The board game of claim 1, wherein said indicia depict a numeral between one and four on said first side.
 5. The board game of claim 1, wherein said first set of playing cards numbers three and said second set of playing cards numbers forty-four.
 6. The method of playing the board game of claim 1, comprising: aligning said first group and said second group of game pieces on opposing side of a game board; drawing a playing card from said deck; moving a game piece a number of unoccupied spaces indicated on said card in a cardinal direction, if said drawn card has indicia depicting a numeral thereon; moving a game piece over an adjacent space occupied by an opposing game piece to the next unoccupied space, if said drawn card has indicia depicting “jump” thereon; attributing a game point to the moving player if said moving of said game piece results in said game piece reaching the opponent's back row or an opposing game piece being completely surrounded; removing a game piece from the game board if said game piece is completely surrounded by opposing game pieces or is on the opponent's back row; repeating said drawing a playing card, moving a game piece, attributing a game point, and removing a game piece until one player has accumulated a predefined point total. 